Page 34 of Carnival Stalker

The guy in the van looks me up and down, taking in my stature. He thinks better of arguing and drives off with a scowl, tires spitting gravel.

I turn to Tilly, expecting relief on her face, but instead, she stares at me with wide, frightened eyes. Before I can say a word, she turns and runs toward the woods. My heart sinks as I realize she’s still afraid of me.

I start after her, calling out, “Tilly, wait!”

But she doesn’t stop. The moon illuminates herpanicked form as she darts between the trees, and I easily keep pace.

“Tilly, please! I want to talk. I promise I won’t hurt you. You have to understand—I did this for you.”

I yearn for her to turn around, to give me a chance to explain. But she only runs faster, branches snapping under her feet. My throat tightens at the thought of her out here alone, exhausted and frightened. I never wanted her to feel this way.

I have to stop her. This is ridiculous; she’s running from her soul mate. My feet pound against the forest floor, quickly gaining on her. She’s terrified, and that’s my fault, but I must keep her safe.

I’m faster and soon catch up, wrapping my arms around her waist and lifting her off the ground. She kicks and squirms in my arms, and I spin her around, pressing her back against a tree trunk. Her eyes are wild, and her chest heaves as she struggles for breath.

“Shh, Tilly, it’s me. Stop fighting me,” I plead, but she screams, a high-pitched sound that pierces the night.

In a desperate attempt to silence her, I clamp my hand over her mouth. My voice is harsh as I growl, “Don’t make me gag you. Your screams are turning me on. Keep it up, and I’ll fuck you right here, make you scream for a different reason.”

Her eyes widen at my words, and she freezes in my arms. I remove my hand from her mouth, and she takes a shuddering breath. For a moment, we stand there, locked in a silent standoff.

Then, softly, so softly I can barely hear it, she whispers, “Why are you doing this?”

A low sound escapes my throat at her words.

I push away from the tree, stepping back to look at her. My gaze roams over her face, swollen lips, and wild hair. At that moment, I want nothing more than for her to understand.

“You’re mine, Tilly. You’ve been from the moment I saw you,” I say, my voice hoarse. “I need you. You’re my entire world.”

I see the fear, confusion, and desire waging a war within her. I step forward, my hands reaching out to cup her face, my thumbs brushing away the tears from her cheeks.

“Don’t be scared,” I whisper, my voice cracking as I gently kiss her. “I would never hurt you.”

Her body relaxes against mine as I kiss her, and she kisses me back, tentative at first, then with growing hunger. Her hands fist in my shirt, pulling me closer, and I groan, all rational thought disappearing in the heat of the moment.

“God, I need you,” I breathe against her lips, my hands moving desperately over her body.

She whimpers, and I feel her hands tugging at my belt, needing me too. I shove down the voice in my head that tells me I’m taking advantage of her vulnerability.

Instead, I let my obsession take over and lift her against the tree, pressing her back against the rough bark. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I thrust into her, claiming her as mine.

Her head falls back, exposing the long line of her throat, and I suck a mark onto her skin, growling in satisfaction. “You’re mine, and everyone will know it.”

Tilly moans, her hands tight on my shoulders, her body moving with mine. The moment is electric, our connection fiery and all-consuming. My obsession blazes as I punctuate each thrust with a nip of her skin.

I move my hips faster and faster, my hands gripped tightly around her waist. My breath comes in short gasps, and my heart pounds wildly. The tree bark digs into Tilly’s back with each thrust, but she doesn’t notice. Her eyes are shut tight, a mixture of pleasure and pain playing across her face.

“You like that, baby? You like it rough?” I growl, my voice harsh in the quiet of the night.

Tilly nods frantically, her breath coming in short gasps. “Yes, please don’t stop.”

A grin spreads across my face. “Never, baby. I’ll never stop. You’re mine, and I’ll never let you go.”

I lean down, my lips brushing against her ear as I continue to move my hips. “I’d kill for you, Tilly. Any man who even looks at you, I’ll fucking murder him. I’ll rip his heart out with my bare hands.”

Tilly moans at my words, her body trembling against mine. I know she shouldn’t love this dark side of me, but she does. She craves it, needs it as much as I need her.

“That guy in the van, I wanted to tear him limb from limb for even speaking to you,” I confess, my voice hoarse and raw. “But I held back for you.”

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